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Common Name: Arum Lily

General Information

Zantedeschia aethiopica is a Evergreen Perennial up to 1.00 metres tall.
It has uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. Africa. Locally naturalized in S. and W. Europe[].

Habitat

Wet marshy places[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a very rich soil in full sun or shade[, ]. Best when growing in full sun[]. Succeeds in wet soils or water up to 30cm deep[, ].
This species is only hardy to between -5 and -10°c[], although some selected forms, such as 'Crowborough' and 'Green Spathe', are hardy in most parts of Britain if they are planted deeply in shallow water to about 30 cm deep[, , ]. It is best to cover plants with bracken in the winter in order to protect against exceptional frosts[].
Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[]

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in moist soil in spring in a greenhouse[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division, preferably in the spring[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.